CHELMSFORD — Over the years, the Merrimack Valley Conference has had a handful of volleyball players move on to Division 1 college programs.
On Wednesday night, there were several more in the Chelmsford High Gymnasium when the No. 3 ranked and 14-0 Lions took on the No. 9 ranked Andover Golden Warriors.
While reigning MVC Player of the Year Kyra Ward — who will be a big attraction to colleges next year when she’s a senior — and her teammates got the best of Andover (12-3) on this night, winning 3-0, across the net stood 6-foot-2 middle hitter Naomi Vadja, who has been a big attraction to college coaches for quite some time now.
“I’d say probably eight to ten are Division 1 schools and I have narrowed my choices down, so I should have a decision soon,” she said.
Two years ago as a sophomore, Vadja was a role player when the Golden Warriors finished with 19 wins and advanced to the Round of 8 in the Division 1 state tournament.
After that season ended, she played for her club team when she realized with some improvements here and there, that perhaps she was D1 college material.
“(The college recruiting process is) a little stressful for sure,” she said. “Schools can’t contact you until June 15th of your sophomore year so I feel like you are pressured to start your college process at an early age compared to everyone else applying to schools regularly.”
“I reached out to over 400 schools,” Vadja noted, “I have heard a lot of no’s, but there’s also schools that I really like which I have received an offer from. I’m just really picky, but I’ll have my decision soon.”
Once Vadja got her feet wet at the varsity level, her progress has gone through the roof. This year alone she has 133 kills, a 51.8 hitting percentage, 109 service points with 40 aces, 24 digs and seven blocks.
“She’s coming into her own as a player,” said Andover head coach Dan Young. “When she wants to dominate and take over a game, she does. Sometimes her kill numbers are not indicative of all of her contributions on and off the court, but her hitting percentage is .500 so if we can get her the ball, we win the point.”
When it comes to going from a role player to a star player, Young said it’s more than the ability to spike balls over the net.
“Naomi’s a middle hitter but really she’s a volleyball player. Sometimes people see a girl of her size who hits the ball really hard and is a one-trick pony, but this kid is a volleyball player,” said Young. “She can serve, she can defend, she can bash the ball and she can do all the little things. Defensively though she’s probably the most underrated player around. She blocks unbelievably well.”
Vadja said that she’s been playing volleyball since she was eight years old. Now almost a decade later, her passion for it is stronger than ever.
“You really have to focus on the team aspect of volleyball and it’s not necessarily about playing, it’s all about your attitude,” she said. “You have to show up ready to play if you are tired, hungry, sad or whatever. You need to be consistent and if you are, it pays off.”